Andy Harris is a Climate Change Denier

Rep. Andy Harris
Maryland

"Harris said there is a recent warming trend, but 'I don't understand or know, or I don't believe anybody really knows, how to place that in historic perspective.' He also said human contribution to climate change 'is also a complex question,' and that even if humans are contributing, 'can you change that contribution given that we burn a lot of carbon-based products to create the energy we need to run the economy of the world?'"

What climate change means for Maryland

In 2009, there were 407 emergency room visits in Maryland due to heat stress.

The cumulative cost of severe weather events in 2011 and 2012 was more than $70 million.

Hurricane Sandy effects in Maryland impacted 477 residences and required more than $34 million in federal assistance in 23 counties and the City of Baltimore.

Changing temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the life cycle and distribution of insects, many of which transmit diseases that already pose problems to public health in Maryland. In 2010, there were 1163 cases of Lyme disease in the state.

In Maryland, there were more than 9,100 hospital admissions for asthma in 2011, with an average charge of close to $8,000 for each stay.

Northeast states can expect more climate change related heat waves—with significantly more days above 90 degrees F—and flooding from sea level rise and extreme precipitation events. Even low-end projections anticipate that historical 100-year coastal floods will happen as often as every 22 years by the end of the century. There is $2.3 trillion of insured coastal property at risk in New York State alone. Northeasterners are already experiencing increased heavy precipitation. Extreme heat and declining air quality are expected to increase risk associated with respiratory problems and heat stress, both of which pose increasing problems for human health, especially in urban areas, and can result in increased hospitalizations and even premature death. Rising temperatures and carbon dioxide concentration increase pollen production and prolong the pollen season, increasing health risks for people with allergies. Agricultural production, including dairy, fruit, and maple syrup, are likely to be adversely affected as favorable climates shift, while the center of lobster fisheries is projected to continue its northward shift and the cod fishery on Georges Bank is likely to be diminished.